ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DUE: 3 JULY 2025
, RSE4801
Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 3 July 2025
Research in Education
SECTION A: SHORT ANSWERS
1. Define what ‘context’ means in research.
In research, ‘context’ refers to the background conditions, circumstances, and
environment in which a study is conducted. This includes the historical, cultural,
social, political, economic, and geographical factors that influence how research is
planned, conducted, and interpreted.
2. Based on the literature you have read, explain in some detail why
understanding ‘context’ in research is important.
Understanding context is crucial because it grounds the research in real-world
conditions, ensuring the findings are relevant and meaningful. According to Yin (2014),
the context affects every phase of the research process, from how problems are
identified to how findings are interpreted.
Firstly, context informs the research question, ensuring it is relevant to the setting.
For instance, a study on youth unemployment must consider local economic factors.
Secondly, it shapes methodology—for example, whether interviews or surveys are
more appropriate in a given community.